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Money-Saving Secrets: Make House Eco-Friendly

CBS 2 HD Spoke To 1 Man Who Is Making His Money Go Further By Eliminating Costly Appliances

HUNTINGTON, N.Y. (CBS) ― So many families are trying to save money in this crisis and CBS 2 HD is eager to hear some of your money-saving solutions.

Eric George in Huntington says: " Walk more, keep fit and save fuel. Open the blinds on sunny days to let the heat in. Close them after sunset to keep it in."

And that's not all he's doing.

"I think that with everything that's being done to the house, by the time I'm done I should see a solid 25 percent reduction in my utility bills," George said.

George is rehabbing his Cape Cod-style Huntington home. As a local realtor, the economic downturn hit hard, and George challenged himself, on a modest budget, to make immediate changes that he knows will pay off.

"The additional energy upgrades to the house will probably cost only $5,000 inside and out," George said.

With enormous returns.

"The Energy Star appliances help, and the washer dryer, we put in motion detectors on lights, fluorescent fixtures in ceilings, a new gas burner, a new gas hot water heater," he said.

The heat will be set up on separate zones. The second floor won't be heated when not in use.

"Up to 12 different thermostat settings to have it go on and off," George said. "And the light dimmers will also help save in electricity use. The more you lower it, the more you save.

"These windows are low 'E' glass so they keep out the bad ultraviolet rays and keep in the good heat. These doors were changed from steel to fiberglass," he added.

And outside the house …

"We're putting in a new type of insulation which is called a 'wrap now.' We're ready to put up new vinyl siding," George said.

Finally, George gave up the club membership and something else, too.

"I decided to give up the $800-a-month car lease, and returned to the old family car," he said.

George's pet peeves -- using paper towels (never!) instead of cotton dish rags , and driving your kids two blocks to the bus stop and waiting with engines idling. 

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